TAMPA Cam Schlittler took advantage of a chance to make an impression this spring as injuries devastated the Yankees rotation.
Despite never having pitched above Double-A, the tall right-hander established himself as a top prospect and depth option with a few solid outings at George M. Steinbrenner Field and other spring training locations. After just a few starts at Triple-A, Schlittler’s major league debut on July 9 was made possible by the injury bug that continued to eat away at the Yankees’ starters, necessitating that depth.
Schlittler made his seventh big league start of his young career on Wednesday at Steinbrenner Field. In a 6-4, 10-inning Yankees victory over the Rays, which also included a game-winning pinch-hit home run from Giancarlo Stanton in the last inning, the rookie did more than impress this time.
Aaron Judge remarked, “Incredible win,” pointing out that the Yankees had the lead for the majority of the game before their bullpen had some problems. This team really has a lot of fight.
With breathtaking efficiency, a smashing curveball, and heat in the mid 90s, Schlittler dismissed the first 18 batters he faced. A Ray didn’t get to base until Chandler Simpson singled to center to start the seventh inning.
By that time Schlittler knew his bid, but he dismissed the single.
You see it? Schlittler remarked, “I wasn’t really thinking about it too much.” And I wasn’t all that concerned even after he was hit. Whatever, I was attempting to concentrate on the next man. Although it feels fantastic, the most important thing is that we won and I placed the team in a position to win after struggling to reach the five-inning mark.
Schlittler, 24, recorded the longest start of his career with 6.2 innings pitched, but he was unable to achieve baseball immortality. While holding Tampa Bay to Simpson’s knock over 95 pitches, Schlittler also gave up two walks and struck out eight batters.
Cam Schlittler struck out Bob Seymour with a somewhat soiled curveball.https://twitter.com/SDF57n56Je #Yankeespic
August 21, 2025 Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips)
The outing was characterized as dominant by Aaron Boone.
The manager went on to say that his belongings were overpowering. Alongside the huge fastball, he perhaps had the finest breaking ball of the year. He was also very effective. He was simply filling up the strike zone and living there.
The swift Simpson stole two bases as Brandon Lowe and Josh Lowe drew walks, and Schlittler, who had been cruising for the majority of the evening, did get himself into a jam before leaving in the seventh. Schlittler left the field to a standing ovation after loaded the bases with two outs, but there was also some doubt about his gem being handed to Luke Weaver.
Weaver ended the seventh inning he fanning Hunter Feduccia with three consecutive fastballs. The Yankees closer David Bednar gave up a two-run, game-tying double to Feduccia in the ninth inning, but the reliever did give up a solo homer to Bob Seymour in the eighth.
Stanton continued to be a force at the plate, hitting a two-run homer off Pete Fairbanks in the tenth inning, luckily for the Yankees. In his last 34 games, the slugger has now hit 15 home runs.
Boone remarked, “You’re just shaking your head at what he’s doing right now.”
After coming off the bench, Giancarlo Stanton gives the Yankees the lead in the tenth inning!tweet.com/AmodSz9dzg
MLB August 21, 2025 (@MLB)
As a pinch hitter in 2025, Stanton is likewise 4-for-7 with two home runs.Prior to this season, he had a poor record of 5-for-45 (.111) in pinch-hitting situations. However, Stanton appears to have mastered the art this season as the Yankees roster structure no longer ensures him playing time every day.
According to Boone, he is psychologically a beast and is aware that part of his current strategy is to be ready for big at-bats off the bench. It was a day off, and he was an everyday player when you guys used to discuss [Stanton’s pinch-hit troubles]. He probably never did it. He seems to be preparing for that huge at-bat right now. Additionally, it’s a guy that is mentally tough, fully aware of who he is, and knows how to prepare. You’re starting to notice some results.
When asked what he currently enjoys about pinch-hitting, Stanton replied that he likes how it challenges his mental toughness and composure. He can incite his teammates into a frenzy when he can accomplish it, which is precisely what occurred on Wednesday.
According to Stanton, each pinch-hit has its own unique scenario and algorithm. You figure out how it goes, but you can accomplish something nice as long as you’re ready, arrive on time, comprehend the circumstance, and act quickly.
After Stanton put the Yankees ahead again, Austin Wells went deep in the fifth and promptly followed up with his second home run of the evening. Soon after, there was some uncertainty and uproar when Devin Williams, who has been benched twice this season as a closer, held the Rays to one run in the bottom of the tenth inning after Jos Caballero was ejected for contesting a caught stealing ruling.
Wells’ offensive display on Wednesday was much-needed for a struggling hitter who hasn’t been getting much playing time lately. As the catcher wing-manned Schlittler’s pursuit of excellence, he also excelled behind the plate.
Boone described Wells’ evening as “awesome.” Two complete bombs, really, and a fantastic job. He was very much in agreement with Schlit. Additionally, I think Austin’s leadership and enthusiasm back there were excellent.
Less than twenty-four hours after the Yankees hit nine home runs, Trent Grisham also had a multi-homer game, blasting a leadoff longball. In the eighth inning, he added another.
The Yankees were able to sweep a five-game road trip, which included three games in St. Louis, without suffering a heartbreaking defeat. The Yankees have previously struggled to tie together a winning run, going 22-32 from June 13 to August 13.
Boone stated, “We’ve never lost confidence.” Despite some extremely difficult moments and gloomy days, they have never lost confidence. It is available for purchase. Thus, we have not yet taken any action. It’s clear that we’ve put together a fantastic road trip after winning a series. However, we must continue.
The second-place Bombers are currently 69-57 as they get ready for a highly anticipated four-game series with the third-place Red Sox in the Bronx. They have won five straight games and three straight series. The Yankees will attempt to pull away from Boston in the rankings over the next several days, as they are currently 1.5 games ahead of Boston for the American League’s top Wild Card slot.
Will Warren, Carlos Rodriguez, Max Fried, and Luis Gil are all expected to start for the Yankees. Dustin May, Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito are scheduled to play for the Sox.
Despite not pitching against Boston, Schlittler, a lifelong Red Sox supporter, referred to this series as the most important of the year.
Other Yankees attempted to minimize the game, but after losing to the Red Sox 1-5 earlier in the season, the team is undoubtedly hoping for a couple victories.
Stanton responded, “You don’t worry about what happened.” Continue moving forward day by day. Go into the weekend with some momentum. However, performing well tonight won’t translate to playing well over the weekend.
Added Judge: We ve been playing our game the past couple series, so just stay locked in on that and do what we can do and control what we can control, and we ll take care of business.
